Bio

Mary Lou Williams (1910-1981) was one of the most sought after jazz musicians during her sixty year career. Williams started her musical career at the age of 12 and ended up playing with the great Duke Ellington the following year when she was just 13. After traveling and touring across the country, Williams settled down in NYC right when bebop was taking the city by storm. She helped contribute greatly to the movement and also helped mentor a lot of the younger musicians on the scene. Aside from being a brilliant improvisor, she was a fantastic composer and arranger, with one of her most notable projects being Zodiac Suite. Williams spent the last four years of her life as artist in residency at Duke University.